Pope Leo XIV embarks on his first foreign trip on March 15, 2024, heading to Turkey to honor the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. This visit aims to strengthen relations between the Catholic and Orthodox churches while addressing pressing issues in Ukraine and the Middle East. His itinerary includes meetings with Turkish officials, interfaith dialogues, and a message of peace.
Arriving first in Ankara, the pontiff will meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and deliver remarks to the diplomatic corps. Following this, he will travel to Istanbul for three days of ecumenical engagements, culminating in a significant stop at the Armenian Apostolic Cathedral, which has hosted every pope since Paul VI.
Turkey, a key player in global diplomacy, has been facilitating peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, as well as negotiations regarding Gaza. The nation, home to over 85 million predominantly Sunni Muslims, has been pivotal in these conflicts and is seen as a crucial intermediary. Pope Leo’s visit comes at a time when Turkey’s military presence, as the second-largest in NATO, is attracting attention from Western leaders despite ongoing concerns about domestic political issues.
Many Turks, facing a severe cost-of-living crisis, may not be fully aware of the pope’s visit, which has garnered limited media attention outside the small Christian community. Responses from locals have varied; some express welcome sentiments while others speculate on the visit’s political implications. “If the pope is visiting, that means America wants something from Turkey,” said Metin Erdem, a shop owner in Istanbul.
The primary objective of Pope Leo’s journey is to commemorate the Council of Nicaea, Christianity’s first ecumenical council held in 325 AD. He is expected to pray with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the spiritual leader of the Orthodox community, at the location of this historic gathering in present-day Iznik. Their joint declaration is intended to symbolize Christian unity, a significant gesture in light of historical divisions dating back to the Great Schism of 1054.
This trip not only highlights the Catholic Church’s commitment to fostering relationships with Orthodox Christians but also serves to enhance ties with the Muslim community. Pope Leo is scheduled to visit the Blue Mosque and participate in interfaith discussions aimed at promoting understanding and harmony. Imam Asgın Tunca expressed hope that the visit would help combat stereotypes about Islam, emphasizing the importance of hospitality as a divine command.
While Erdogan’s administration has made strides to improve the rights of religious groups, challenges remain for minority faiths. The Catholic Church, which has around 33,000 members in Turkey, lacks formal legal recognition, complicating its operations and community presence. Rev. Paolo Pugliese, superior of the Capuchin Catholic friars in Turkey, remarked on the Church’s importance due to its international profile and the backing of the pope.
As the visit progresses, a sensitive moment will arise when Pope Leo visits the Armenian Apostolic Cathedral. His predecessor, Pope Francis, stirred controversy during his visit in 2014 by labeling the Armenian slaughter during World War I as “the first genocide of the 20th century.” Turkey has long denied the genocide claims and reacted strongly to such statements. Although Pope Leo has generally adopted a more cautious approach in public discourse, the Vatican is currently balancing its relationships with both Turkey and Armenia amid criticisms about its outreach to Azerbaijan.
Pope Leo XIV’s mission in Turkey is not only rooted in religious commemoration but also in the pressing need for dialogue and peace in a region fraught with conflict. As he engages with diverse communities and leaders, his presence underscores the ongoing efforts to bridge divides and foster unity among different faiths.
